Martinelli To Return To Belfast Giants For Another Season

Defenceman Ryan Martinelli is returning to the Belfast Giants for the 2017/18 Elite League season as he continues studying at the Ulster University.

The Canadian joined the Giants blueline in 2016 from Székesfehérvár of the Austrian Hockey League.

Prior to his arrival in Belfast, Martinelli played for the the OHL's London Knights and the University of Western Ontario before moving to Europe to sign with Valpellice of Italy.

Martinelli said: "I am really happy to be back and excited to spend another season in Belfast chasing trophies.

"Coming into the new season, I know what to expect from the league. I am expecting more from my own performance and hoping to be able to contribute even more than last year. The league will be stronger next season and I am looking forward to it."

Adam Keefe, Head Coach, said: "Ryan is a great guy to have around the locker room. He is a big guy who skates well and is mean in front of the net. He is a winner, who won a league title in Germany.

"I know many Giants fans really took to Ryan last season as he plays hard for the team every night. We are excited to have him return."

02 February 2018
U2 Announce Second Show In Belfast
Irish rockers U2 have announced a second show in Belfast later this year. They confirmed they will be bringing their eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE tour to the SSE Arena on 27 October. Tickets sold out after they went on sale on Friday morning, 02 February, and a second date for 28 October was announced by promoters.

11 October 2017
Teen Charged With Blackmail And Threats To Kill
A teenager has been charged with blackmail, making threats to kill and making threats to damage property. The 19-year-old male was arrested in east Belfast on Tuesday, 10 October. He was detained by the Paramilitary Crime Task Force as part of an investigation into serious crime.

26 August 2015
Belfast Giants Sign Mike Radja
The Belfast Giants have signed Mike Radja for the 2015/16 Elite League season. The signing completes the Giants roster for the 2015/16 roster. The American 6ft forward with a left shot will add firepower upfront for the Giants, posting an average of over one point per game since the 2011/12 season.

15 February 2018
Ten Councils To Increase Rates In NI
Ten out of 11 district council's in Northern Ireland are to increase rates from April this year. Causeway Coast and Glens Council is not raising rates, for a third year successive year. Newry Mourne and Down Council announced a 3.38% increase and Belfast City Council rates are rising by 1.98%.

13 February 2018
Investigation Launched After Car Set On Fire In Belfast
Police have launched an investigation after a vehicle was set on fire in south Belfast. The incident happened in the Stranmillis Embankment area on Tuesday, 13 February. Police received reports that a grey Volkswagen Polo, which had been parked in the area, was set on fire.

13 February 2018
Death Of Woman In North Belfast Being Treated As 'Suspicious'
Police are treating the death of a woman as suspicious after he body was found in her home in north Belfast just after her car failed to stop for them. May Stevens, aged 64 and a mother of two, was found dead in the Lismoyne Park area after 3am on Sunday, 11 February. Her car, a red Hyundai 130, was stolen between 1.30am and 2am on Sunday.

01 February 2018
Body Of Missing Michael Cullen Found
The body of missing Belfast man Michael Cullen has been found. His body was discovered on Cave Hill, according to his family. Michael's brother Niall confirmed the 33-year-old had been found following an extensive search campaign.

31 January 2018
Armed Man Robs Shop In South Belfast
Police have launched an investigation following an armed robbery at a shop in south Belfast. A man, believed to have been armed with a handgun, entered the premises on the Lockview Road just before 10.15pm on tuesday, 30 January. He made off with a sum of cash and a significant amount of cigarettes and scratch cards.

30 January 2018
350 Jobs On Offer At Jobs Fair In Belfast
A total of 350 jobs will be on offer at a major jobs fair at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. The event, in partnership with Belfast City council, will take place on Wednesday, 07 February, from 10am to 3pm. Over 75 employers will be available from a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, I.T, healthcare, customer services and many more.

01 July 2015
Belfast Giants Sign Mike Wilson
The Stena Line Belfast Giants has signed Mike Wilson for the 2015/16 season. Wilson, a 28-year-old defenceman from British Columbia, Canada, becomes the Giants 14th off-season signing and joins Jeff Mason and Matt Nickerson on the blueline next season.

27 March 2002
Stormont reception for title-winning Giants
The Belfast Giants wound up their Superleague title winning season with a gala dinner a the Ramada Hotel and a reception hosted by Sports Minister Michael McGimpsey at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

15 February 2018
Almost Half Of All Parking Tickets Issued In Belfast
Almost 27,000 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued in the three months to December 2017, according to the latest figures from the Department of Infrastructure. The tickets were issued for on-street parking offences, with some 48% issued in Belfast.

14 February 2018
Death Of Woman In North Belfast 'Not Suspicious'
The death of a woman in north Belfast is no longer being treated as suspicious, police have confirmed. May Stevens, aged 64 and a mother-of-two, was found dead in her home in the Lismoyne Park area on Sunday, 11 February. Following the results of a post-mortem, police are no longer treating the death as suspicious.

14 February 2018
Man Attacked By Armed Gang In North Belfast
A man has been attacked by a gang of armed men at a house in north Belfast. The assault happened in the Oakley Street area in the early hours of Wednesday, 14 February. The victim was punched in the head and a front window of the property was also smashed. One man was armed with a sword and the other men had bats and bars.

06 February 2018
Armed Man Robs Shop In West Belfast
A man armed with a handgun has robbed a shop in west Belfast. The incident happened at premises in the Suffolk Road area just after 9.45pm on Monday, 05 February. The man threatened staff and made off with a sum of money and cigarettes. He has been described as medium build and was wearing black jacket and blue denim jeans.

Northern Ireland Weather

Today:

A cloudy day across all parts although Antrim and County Down will stay dry for much of this morning. Patchy light rain and drizzle along with misty, murky conditions will extend eastwards this morning, affecting all parts this afternoon. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

Tonight:

Cloudy, damp night with patchy light rain and drizzle gradually dying out. It will be a very mild night with light winds. Minimum temperature 6 °C.